Pokhara

Pokhara is Nepal's second largest city, located in the Kaski District of the Gandaki Province at an elevation of approximately 822m above sea level. It lies in a broad valley on the southern edge of the Himalayan range, straddling the Seti Gandaki river and spread along the shores of Phewa Lake — accounting for its reputation as the most beautiful city in Nepal.

Pokhara is the gateway to the Annapurna region and is arguably Nepal's most popular tourist city. Its lakeside (Baidam) neighbourhood is packed with restaurants, cafes, bars, bookshops, trekking agencies, and paragliding operators. The stunning Machhapuchhre (Fish Tail, 6,993m) — a peak that has never been officially summited — dominates the northern skyline from virtually anywhere in the city.

By Air: Pokhara Regional International Airport (PKR) with daily flights from Kathmandu (25 minutes). International connections to select Indian cities are expanding after the new international terminal opened in 2023.

By Road: 6–7 hours from Kathmandu (200 km) via the Prithvi Highway — a scenic route through the Trisuli and Marsyangdi river gorges. Regular tourist bus, express bus, and private car services operate from Kathmandu.

• Phewa Lake Reflections — The mirror-like lake reflecting Machhapuchhre and the Annapurna range is one of Nepal's signature photographic compositions. Dawn and dusk light is extraordinary.
• Paragliding — Pokhara is Asia's paragliding capital. Aerial footage from tandem flights over the lake and city with the Himalayas as backdrop is world-class production material.
• World Peace Pagoda — A whitewashed stupa on a ridge south of Phewa Lake commands panoramic views of lake, city, and mountains. One of Pokhara's most iconic filming locations.
• Mahendra Cave & Bat Cave — Natural limestone caves with dramatic interior formations and thousands of bats make compelling nature documentary settings.
• Davis Falls (Patale Chhango) — A dramatic waterfall that disappears underground, spectacular in monsoon season.
• Seti Gandaki River Gorge — The milky-white glacial river cuts a deep narrow gorge through the city itself, viewable from street-level bridges.
• International Mountain Museum — Exhibits on Himalayan mountaineering, ethnic cultures, and natural history of the region.