Kathmandu Pokhara Tour

Best Time to Visit Kathmandu and Pokhara

Spring and autumn are the ideal seasons for sightseeing during the Kathmandu Pokhara Tour, except winter and summer. From March to May, the days are warm and the climate is favorable; after the monsoon, from September to November, the skies are usually clear. October and November are also seasons of good visibility and clear skies.

If you are interested in mountain views and the sunrise at Sarangkot, then the autumn season would be a great time to travel to Kathmandu Pokhara. Winter is also a good time to visit, as it offers cooler weather and less rain.

Kathmandu and Pokhara Weather

Because of their geographical and local differences, the weather changes between Kathmandu and Pokhara. There are warm summers and cool winters in Kathmandu and Pokhara is warmer than Kathmandu and receives much more rain during the monsoon season. The average maximum temperature in Kathmandu is around 28.1°C while Pokhara is around 29.7°C during summer.

Expect the weather to shift throughout the day; dress in layers. Also leave some flexibility in summer when you travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara due to the fact that a lot of rain can take place during that time and that could have an effect on the roads and the visibility.

Kathmandu to Pokhara Road Journey

The drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara is a significant trip on the tour. The road distance is about 200 km, with a travel time of about 6 to 9 hours generally, depending on traffic, road conditions, construction and weather.

This is along the main hill country route of Nepal. Cross river valleys, villages, arable fields and parts of the curvilinear roads. As you are leaving Kathmandu Valley and heading towards Pokhara, the scenic views shift slowly.

Travel time is not to be taken as a timetable. Delays can occur due to traffic around Kathmandu and road improvements and monsoon rains can impact road conditions.

A Kathmandu Pokhara Tour by private car is also more flexible and can include rest breaks and meal stops if necessary. The road transfer can be arranged in conjunction with the tour by Adventure Walkway.

Sarangkot Sunrise: What to Expect

Sarangkot is situated at 1592m (5223ft) above Pokhara and it is a point of interesting views for watching sunrise and mountains. Sunrise and sunset over the Annapurna range are the two prominent viewpoint features of Sarangkot.

The tour will go early in the morning, as the exact time will vary with the time of sunrise that you can expect on your visit. Normally, there is walking from the vehicle area to the viewing points after the drive from Lakeside.

Things to keep in mind:

• Wear a warm layer as early mornings can be cold even in the summer.
• For walking around the viewpoint, wear comfortable shoes.
• If you wish to take photos, take a camera or a cell phone.
• Weather and cloud cover affect visibility.
• Be sure to give yourself sufficient time to come back to Pokhara for breakfast.

The Kathmandu Pokhara tour highlights the sunrise sightseeing with breakfast and some extra time in Pokhara.

Altitude and Acclimatization on This Tour

Altitude is not a big worry on this tour as the hike is at relatively low altitudes compared with other high mountain trekking in Nepal. Kathmandu is around 1,400 m (4,593 ft), while Sarangkot reaches about 1,592 m (5,223 ft).

No high altitude trekking is required and no multi-day trek to a high mountain pass or sleeping at high elevations is involved. The principal one is just letting the body adapt to the changes of location.

The sightseeing programme is accessible to most visitors, but may well vary from person to person depending on their reaction to height. The sensible precautions are to stay hydrated and get proper rest.

The more practical issues for Kathmandu Pokhara travel are usually getting around in the tourist mecca, waking up early and spending long hours on the road – not the high-altitude challenges.

Kathmandu UNESCO World Heritage Sites

The Kathmandu Valley has a UNESCO World Heritage property consisting of seven monument zones. These include Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Pashupatinath, Changu Narayan, Swayambhunath and Boudhanath.

You will see four of these important sites on your Kathmandu Pokhara tour package. Pashupatinath is the biggest religious complex of Hindus and the Buddhist places of importance are Boudhanath and Swayambhunath. Kathmandu Durbar Square has historic palace courtyards, temples and traditional architecture.

The religious and cultural setting is different in each place. Visitors should wear respectful attire, respect local instructions and ensure not take photographs during religious events without permission.

The sightseeing day is a brief overview of Kathmandu’s past and it’s not necessary to walk between all four places. The sequence of visits could be changed according to traffic conditions so as to coincide with the timing.

Main Attractions Pokhara Sightseeing

There are several attractions available in Pokhara that can be explored in one day’s sightseeing. The city is renowned for its lakes, viewpoints, religious sites and nature. Phewa Lake, Davis Falls, Gupteshwor Cave, World Peace Pagoda and Bindhyabasini are among the places to see in Pokhara.

Main places included in this tour:

• Davis Falls: a popular natural site and waterfall.
• Gupteshwor Cave: A religious cave near Davis Falls.
• World Peace Pagoda: A Buddhist monument that overlooks the Pokhara area.
• Pumdikot: A top-of-the-hill location, housing a large Shiva statue and with a view of the surrounding landscape.
• Bindhyabasini Temple: A religious temple of Hindus built in the North of Pokhara, Nepal.
• Phewa Lake: Pokhara’s main lakeside attraction and central part of the tourism.

These places can be visited on the Kathmandu-Pokhara tour with a relaxed attitude and without getting into a trekking program.

Phewa Lake and Lakeside Area

Phewa Lake is closely associated with tourism in Pokhara. The Lakeside area is built up on the east bank and features hotels, restaurants, shops and other visitor services. There is also boating on the lake and Tal Barahi Temple is on an island in the lake.

Your Pokhara hotel is also within the area of Lakeside, where you can relax and enjoy your spare time near the lake. You can stroll down the main streets, check out local retail shops, dine at a restaurant, or simply take in the waterfront.

There is some flexibility in optional activities (e.g., boating) if there is sufficient free time and weather conditions are appropriate. These are not included in your sightseeing program automatically, but if you really want to see them, you can request them on your itinerary.

Lakeside is also a convenient place to rest on road journeys and sightseeing days while travelling from Kathmandu to Pokhara.

Food and Dining in Kathmandu and Pokhara

Eating is a vital aspect of the Nepal experience and you’ll find plenty of options in both Kathmandu and Pokhara. Nepali cuisine is frequently offered at local restaurants, along with Indian, Tibetan and international cuisine.

One of the popular meals in Nepal is dal bhat which consists of rice, dal, vegetables and various other side dishes. Momos are also plentiful and may be stuffed with various fillings. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian options are available in both cities.

Normally, the hotel offers a breakfast as part of a package; other meals are available depending on the type of package you have booked. Please notify Adventure Walkway if there are any allergies or special dietary needs in advance, as appropriate arrangements will be discussed.

If travelling from Kathmandu to Pokhara, you should keep in mind that you should avoid eating at dirty and crowded restaurants and drink clean water & wash your hands before eating. Bottled, boiled, or filtered water is recommended for drinking.

Nepal Tourist Visa and Entry Requirements

A tourist visa is required for most foreigners to enter Nepal. Visa on Arrival is available at Tribhuvan International Airport, with a few exceptions requiring a visa prior to travel. The current tourist Visa on Arrival fees set by the Department of Immigration are: 15 days – US$30, 30 days – US$50 and 90 days – US$125.

The steps of the arrival process include filling out the arrival card, visa application, paying the right visa fee and then go to the immigration desk with your passport and visa payment receipt.

Before traveling, check:

• Passport validity and blank pages.
• Visa requirements for your country as of now
• Correct visa duration
• Recent immigration instructions
• Your hotel or accommodation information
• Travel documents or onward travel documents, if necessary

Please check the Nepal Department of Immigration for the latest visa regulations before travelling. Visa for Kathmandu Pokhara Tour should include 7 days tour.

Internet, SIM Card and Mobile Network

Mobile network is available in Kathmandu and Pokhara and most of the tourist hotels have Wi Fi. The connection might be different in different properties and may not be as strong on certain parts of the road between the two cities.

Local or tourist SIM cards can be bought by international visitors. In the near future, the phone maker Ncell plans to roll out packages for foreign tourists that can be bought online and registered at Tribhuvan International Airport with an original passport, offering tourists more options. In the coming days, Ncell will launch touristic SIM packages for foreign visitors which can be purchased at Tribhuvan International Airport by presenting an original passport for registration.

Nepal Telecom is also providing 4G services in areas where they have network coverage.

Mobile data helps with maps, communication and travel information checks for Kathmandu Pokhara travel. If you need to contact your driver/tour team, a local SIM is also useful.

Though Adventure Walkway can help with general arrival and tour coordination, travelers should have their own phone and SIM card and important contact numbers on hand.

Money, ATMs and Card Payments

Nepal’s official currency is the Nepalese rupee (NPR). ATMs are plentiful in Kathmandu and Pokhara and most hotel, restaurant and shop outlets in tourist areas will accept international credit and debit cards.

It’s still advisable to have some Nepalese money with you, even if you get accepted. Some small businesses, local eateries and smaller establishments may only accept cash, especially in non-tourist areas.

Useful money tips:

• Bring some Nepalese rupees for minor items.
• Take to banks or authorized money exchange service.
• Retain your exchange receipts.
• Notify your bank if necessary for travel abroad.
• Use multiple payment options, if possible.

Banking and exchange are available in both the major cities of Kathmandu and Pokhara, so for this tour it would be advisable not to bring a lot of cash. Nepal Tourism Board recommends travelers to keep foreign exchange receipts as well.