Lake Phewa is the quintessential example of Pokhara’s lake and mountain scenery. Today, I’ll show you how to make the most of it.
Hire a Boatman for a Lake Tour
Hire a boatman to take you around Lake Phewa for 2 hours. They’ll give you a tour of the lake, take you to the island in the middle where you can spend half an hour, and then bring you back to shore. The initial price is 3000 rupees, but you can negotiate. For three of us, we got the only boat with a canopy to shield us from the sun. The boatmen were dedicated and did their best.


Lake Phewa is definitely the most charming leisure destination in Pokhara. You can go boating on the lake, hike or bike around it, or relax in a cozy lakeside café, enjoying the stunning lake and mountain views. For a thrilling experience, try paragliding and take in the breathtaking sight of the mirror-like Lake Phewa from above.
The island in the middle of Lake Phewa is small but picturesque. The most famous attraction on the island is the Tal Barahi Temple, which you can reach in less than ten minutes by boat. It’s one of Pokhara’s most important landmarks.




Hike Around the Lake
Spend a day hiking around Lake Phewa. Typically, start from the path leading to the World Peace Pagoda. On this route, you can enjoy breathtaking lake views and gaze at the endless mountains in the distance.
Once you reach the World Peace Pagoda, continue along the ridge to Lukunswara village. At the trail fork, take the right path to Pumdi, then descend to the lakeside Margi (you might need to ask locals for directions). From Margi, either cross a series of suspension bridges through the wetlands or follow the valley edge to the suspension bridge at Pame Bazaar. There, a dirt road runs along the northern shore of the lake directly back to Pokhara.
If you’re short on energy, you can catch a local bus back to Pokhara from Pame Bazaar; buses usually run every hour.



Tal Barahi Temple is located on an island in the middle of Lake Phewa, and you can reach it in less than ten minutes by boat. It’s one of Pokhara’s most important landmarks.
The temple is dedicated to the goddess Shakti, the goddess of power and a protector of women. You’ll often see many female worshippers crossing the lake with offerings of female animals and poultry for the goddess. It has also become an integral part of local wedding ceremonies.
As a Hindu temple, visitors are required to remove their shoes and any leather items before entering. The temple also houses an idol of the elephant-headed god, Ganesha.


Restaurant Recommendations around Phewa Lake
- Pokhara Thakali Kitchen: Located in the central lake area, this upscale restaurant is part of Trek-o-Tel and specializes in traditional Mustang Valley cuisine. The menu features local dishes such as dry meat rolls wrapped in buckwheat flour.
- Hungry Eye Restaurant & Bar: Attached to the nearby hotel of the same name near the palace, this place may look a bit outdated, but the food is excellent. They have ethnic performances every evening after 6:30 PM.
- Punjabi Restaurant: An authentic Indian restaurant run by Punjabis, known for its delicious curries and freshly baked naan. The curry vegetable dishes served with Indian cheese are particularly tasty.
- Indian Restaurant: A bit farther from the restaurant area but offers similarly delicious food, though the atmosphere is not as great.
- Boomerang Restaurant & German Bakery: Possibly the best “garden restaurant” in the lakeside area. It features a large, shaded garden and folk performances starting at 7 PM. The bakery on the street is also popular—see the “Drinks” section for details.
- Fewa Park Restaurant: Next door to Boomerang, offering similar dishes and ambiance.
- Tea Time Bamboostan: Cozy and small, with DVD movies in the evening and chilled Tuborg and Everest beers. The food is decent.
- Rice Bowl Tibetan Restaurant: A budget-friendly spot with a relaxed vibe, opening late in the morning and serving Tibetan staples like dumplings and noodle soup.
- Lemon Tree: A refined restaurant with a varied menu and excellent service, one of the few places in the lakeside area that cooks fresh lake fish.

Sarangkot
Sarangkot is the highest peak in Pokhara and the closest viewpoint to Nepal’s iconic Machhapuchhre, also known as Fishtail Mountain. It is famous as the best place to view the snow-capped peaks. From the observation deck, you can take in breathtaking views of the Himalayas, Machhapuchhre, and the Annapurna mountain range. At sunrise and sunset, the changing light transforms the snowy peaks into an awe-inspiring spectacle.
Sarangkot is also a popular trekking route from Lakeside in Pokhara. Along the way, you’ll pass through terraced fields, and as the mountain path twists and turns, the majestic scenery will suddenly appear, filling you with joy and wonder. Sarangkot is also a prime location for paragliding, with many visitors soaring from the hill every day.
Getting there:
The route to Sarangkot is well-maintained. If you choose to hike, it takes about 3–4 hours from the Lakeside area. Alternatively, you can take a taxi from Lakeside, costing around 1,000 NPR for a round trip. A one-way ride takes about 20 minutes, followed by a short walk to the summit. Renting a motorbike or a taxi is also a good option for the journey.
Machhapuchhre, also known as Fishtail Mountain, is part of the Annapurna range. It gets its name from its peak, which resembles the shape of a fish’s tail. Machhapuchhre is considered a sacred mountain in Nepal, and climbing it is strictly prohibited.
The mountain’s majestic beauty can be admired from Phewa Lake. For a closer view, trekking in the Annapurna region offers the best experience. The sight of Machhapuchhre at sunrise and sunset is particularly stunning, as the changing light paints the peak in breathtaking hues.

Pokhara has long been known as the “Adventure Capital of Nepal.” It serves as the starting point for the Annapurna trekking routes and attracts countless backpackers as one of the world’s most affordable paragliding destinations. For those interested, thrilling river rafting adventures are also available in the nearby valleys.
The sky above Pokhara is often adorned with colorful paragliders, creating a spectacular scene. As one of the world’s top three paragliding destinations, Pokhara draws extreme sports enthusiasts with its affordable prices. Flying through the sky, experiencing the sensation of weightlessness, and opening your eyes to breathtaking views of the lakes and mountains offers a beauty unlike anything seen from the ground. Here, the dream of soaring freely in the sky becomes a reality.

Trekking
Nepal is often called a trekker’s paradise, and Pokhara serves as the closest gateway to all routes in the Annapurna region. Some of the most popular routes include the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC), the Annapurna Circuit, and the Poon Hill Loop. Trekking services in Pokhara are highly developed. Before setting off, trekkers need to complete the necessary permits, and villages along the routes offer accommodation and meals. Trekkers can also hire professionally trained guides and porters to carry heavy loads, allowing them to hike with minimal burden.
Hiring Guides and Porters
For more challenging routes beyond the easier, beginner-friendly trails, it is recommended to hire a trekking guide and porter. Guides can help with navigation, provide cultural insights along the way, and handle emergencies. Professional trekking guides are licensed, though it can be difficult to verify their credentials. It’s advisable to arrange guides through local travel agencies, as they tend to be more reliable and offer better rates, typically ranging from 1,200 to 3,000 NPR per day.
Porters mainly assist by carrying gear. While they are familiar with the paths, they aren’t professionally trained. Whether to hire a porter depends on the difficulty of the route. The cost of hiring a porter is generally 600 to 1,400 NPR per day, depending on the terrain and route conditions.
Annapurna Circuit
The Annapurna Circuit, often referred to as the “Grand Circuit,” starts at Besisahar (820 meters). The route passes through major towns like Chame and Manang, before crossing the Thorung La Pass at an altitude of 5,400 meters. It then continues through Jomsom and Tatopani, before descending to Beni at 820 meters. The trek is typically completed in a counterclockwise direction.
- Duration: 14–18 days
- Highlights: The Annapurna Circuit ranks first among the world’s top 10 trekking routes. In addition to the stunning Himalayan snow-capped mountains and lush terraced fields, the abundance of comfortable guesthouses (GH) along the route makes it a popular choice for trekkers.
Annapurna Base Camp (ABC)
The Annapurna Base Camp trek starts at Phedi (1,600 meters) and passes through Landruk, Chomrong, Bamboo, and the Machhapuchhre Base Camp, finally reaching the Annapurna Base Camp at 4,100 meters. The return follows the same path back.
- Duration: 9–12 days
Poon Hill Loop
The Poon Hill Loop, also known as the “Short Circuit,” starts at Nayapul (1,760 meters). It passes through Ghandruk and Tadapani before reaching Ghorepani. At Poon Hill (3,200 meters), trekkers can enjoy a spectacular sunrise before descending to Ulleri and returning to Nayapul.
- Duration: 4–5 days
- Highlights: This route is often combined with the Annapurna Base Camp trek. A key highlight is the light hike to Poon Hill to watch the sun slowly rise over the Annapurna range. Along the way, trekkers can also relax in the Jhinu hot springs to ease the fatigue of multiple trekking days, while enjoying the diverse and breathtaking landscapes of the Annapurna region.