Pokhara - Nepal's Trekking Capital

Pokhara sits at 822m altitude on the western shore of Fewa Lake, with a direct view of Machapuchare (6,993m) and the Annapurna massif. Every major Annapurna trek starts from or near here. I have lived and worked in Pokhara for years - here is what you actually need to know.

Pokhara Basics - What You Need to Know Before You Arrive

Pokhara is Nepal's second-largest city and the undisputed trekking capital of the Himalayas. At 822m altitude, it sits low enough that there are zero acclimatisation issues - you can arrive from sea level and start your trek the next morning with no altitude concerns.

Altitude

822m (no altitude adjustment needed)

From Kathmandu

25-min flight or 6–7 hour tourist bus

Airport

Pokhara Regional International Airport (PKR)

Trekker hub

Lakeside (Baidam) - restaurants, gear shops, guesthouses

Lakeside - Where Trekkers Stay

The Lakeside area (also called Baidam or Pokhara-6) is a 2 km strip along Fewa Lake packed with trekker guesthouses, gear shops, Western restaurants, and permit offices. Everything you need for a trek is within a 10-minute walk. It is lively without being chaotic, and prices are reasonable compared to Kathmandu.

Budget guesthouses run NPR 600–1,500 per night for a clean private room. Mid-range hotels with lake views and hot showers cost NPR 2,000–4,000. Rohit can recommend specific guesthouses that offer reliable hot water, secure luggage storage (essential when you leave your main bag in Pokhara during the trek), and fast Wi-Fi.

Gear Rental in Pokhara - Much Cheaper Than Buying

Pokhara's Lakeside has dozens of gear rental shops. Renting is far cheaper than buying and the quality is surprisingly good - rental gear is mostly North Face, Marmot, and Mammut items purchased from previous trekkers. There is no need to bring a heavy jacket from home.

Item	Rental Price	Notes
Down jacket	$1–2/day	Essential above 3,000m
Sleeping bag (–10°C)	$1–2/day	Most teahouses provide blankets, but bring your own above 3,500m
Trekking poles (pair)	$0.50/day	Highly recommended for descent
Rain poncho	$0.50/day	Mandatory March–June monsoon shoulder
Headlamp	$0.50/day	Power cuts are common above 3,000m

Rohit's gear shop tip: There are two shops on the main Lakeside strip I trust for quality rental gear - I will take you there personally and make sure you get the right sizes and conditions. Avoid shops near the tourist bus parks that rent out worn-out equipment.

For a full packing list, see the Nepal trekking gear and packing list guide.

Pre-Trek Acclimatisation at 822m

One of Pokhara's biggest advantages is altitude: at 822m, there are no oxygen level concerns whatsoever. Trekkers arriving from Europe, Australia, or the Americas can rest for one to two days in Pokhara - sorting gear, permits, and adjusting to the time zone - without any altitude-related delay. This is very different from treks that start in Kathmandu (1,400m) or higher. Pokhara gives you a relaxed, flat-altitude starting point before the real climbing begins.

Getting to the Trailheads from Pokhara

All major Annapurna trailheads are within 6 hours of Pokhara by road. Most departures are in the early morning from the tourist bus park in Lakeside.

Nayapul

1.5 hours

Route: ABC / Poon Hill / Ghorepani

Shared jeep or local bus - NPR 400–600 per person

Kande

1 hour

Route: Mardi Himal (via Australian Camp)

Taxi or shared jeep - NPR 600–900 per person

Besisahar

6 hours by bus

Route: Annapurna Circuit start

Tourist bus from Pokhara bus park - NPR 500–800 per person

Phedi / Dhampus

45 minutes

Route: Khopra Ridge entry

Taxi - NPR 1,000–1,500 private

Treks Starting from Pokhara

Browse all treks I guide from Pokhara for the full list of routes, durations, and difficulty ratings.

Meeting in Pokhara - Let's Plan from There

Rohit is based in Pokhara and meets trekkers in Lakeside. Get in touch and he will handle gear, permits, and the drive to the trailhead - so you can focus on the mountains.

Contact Rohit in Pokhara