A Digital Nomad's Guide to Pokhara: Best Homestays, Cafes, and Activities
While Pokhara is the second largest city in Nepal, it truly doesn't feel like a city at all. The Himalayas loom around the valley, the lake is full of colorful boats, and there are local spots scattered down side streets.
It's a perfect mountain town for digital nomads because it is affordable, has plenty of work-friendly spots, and is just a short drive away from many adventure activities. It is also easy to meet other travelers, and it's so beautiful you could spend days sipping coffee and enjoying the views.
Use this travel guide to easily feel at home in picturesque Pokhara:
How to Get to Pokhara, Nepal
By bus
You can book a bus from Kathmandu to Pokahara using 12Go Asia. Fair warning, the bus rides in Nepal can be very intense. Because you are traveling through the Himalayan region, the roads are windy and can be rocky at times.
Trust me when I say it is worth splurging the extra few bucks to get a sofa seater or any other kind of VIP bus.
By plane
Where to Stay in Pokhara, Nepal
The Mountain House is a sweet homestay in a great location. The rooms come with everything you need, some even have lovely views of the Himalayas. The common area is a great place to sit and have a long breakfast, read a book, or catch up on some work.
The owners of Mountain House are what make it special. They are so dedicated to making sure that their guests have a good time. They are super helpful when it comes to getting recommendations, booking tours, or asking questions about the local culture.
For those who prefer to a dorm, Hotel Forest Lake is a hostel that has plenty of co-working friendly areas such as their shared lounge, terrace, and restaurant. The rooms are super clean and come with curtains, and lockers.
It can be very hit or miss with the hostels in Pokhara, especially because many backpackers are pretty young. Hotel Forest Lake hits that sweet spot of being a social hostel without having that rowdy party vibe.
How to Get Around Pokhara, Nepal
InDrive
InDrive is the best taxi app in Nepal, similar to Grab in Thailand or Uber in the United States. In typical Nepalese fashion, you bargain for your ride rates and can pay more to get a ride quickly.
InDrive only accepts cash so make sure to have the exact change on you before ordering your ride.
Rent a motorbike
As with many cities in South Asia, motorbikes are the easiest way to get around. If you know how to drive yourself, motorbikes just unlock so many different adventures and allow you to be more independent. If you are going further outside the city, they are also far more cost-effective than taxis.
Pokhara has many so incredible sights that are just out of the city, like the Peace Stupa or Sarangkot, and taxis can be hard to find or expensive. However, be warned that you may have to avoid occasional police checkpoints (I got away with it because I'm Asian) and always wear a helmet.
Bicycle
If you are looking to just stay around the lake area and town, a regular bicycle is really helpful. On sunny days, this is an easy way to get around and soak in the views.
Work-Friendly Cafes in Pokhara, Nepal
Himalayan Java
This cafe chain is basically the Starbucks of Nepal and South Asia, except the coffee actually tastes good and is a fair price. There are tons of locations around the town, and you can go knowing that they'll have comfy seats, wifi, and outlets. However, just be aware that they don't really have food options.
Lumima
This cafe on the lake has one of my favorite views in Pokhara. The indoor/outdoor cafe has comfy seats, yummy smoothies, and good music. They also have wifi, outlets, and a vegan food menu.
This is ideal for someone who is looking for somewhere quiet and picturesque to spend the day.
Cafe De Himalayas
This is the most LA-looking cafe in Pokhara. They have avocado toast, eggs benedict, and other classic brunch options. They also have a super extensive coffee menu, plenty of places to sit, outlets, and strong wifi.
This is perfect for the coffee snob who is looking for a taste of something western and familiar.
Where to Eat in Pokhara, Nepal
Panna's Mo:Mo
I ended up going here multiple times during my stay, especially when I was looking for a comfort meal. The momos are super affordable and delicious. I especially enjoyed the chicken chili momos.
Pandey Restaurant
Pandey is a total hole-in-the-wall restaurant, but that is also why it is so delicious yet uncrowded. They have great momos and Indian dishes as well. This is a great place to go with a group so you can try multiple things on the menu.
Turkish & Nepali Kitchen Kabap House
As the name suggests, this restaurant offers both Turkish and Nepali food. All of the dishes are very affordable, and the street it is on feels more local and authentic.
Vegan Way
I thought the name was just slang for hippies, but this restaurant and all the places are around it are more likely to be vegetarian than not. They have great views of the lake, especially if you go upstairs, as well as a full food and drink menu.
This area of Pokhara definitely feels the most kitschy and touristy, but it's also where you're the most likely to find the other travelers and make friends. Vegan Way even offers a yoga class most days, and the teacher is super local and interesting.
Things to Do in Pokhara, Nepal
The Peace Stupa is easily the most popular site in Pokhara. On clear days, it offers beautiful views of the valley and the Himalayas. You can get there by motorbike, but – if you aren't in a rush – it's also fun to take the ferry and hike up the mountain.
Whitewater rafting in the Himalayas is such a wonderfully unique travel experience. I just did it as a day trip, but you could easily spend a few nights out there. This is definitely for adventure travelers, and it's the best way to spend a day in the water. I loved this tour and found it a lot more exciting than I was expecting.
Just be sure to pack some sunglasses, a swimsuit, and a change of clothes. It's completely safe and the staff is lovely and provides everything else you need.
This is one of the most beautiful sunrises in the world, and it's easy to do as a day (or more accurately, morning) trip out of Pokhara. The sunrise over the Annapurna ranges is beautiful, and it's an image that will warm you up from the inside whenever you remember it.
As with all sunrises, there is an element of gambling involved. I caught glimpses of the sunrise, but it was a bit cloudy the day I went. You never know what days will be perfectly pink or which ones will disappointingly cloudy, but that's part of the magic of them. When you miss a few of the "good" sunrises, you learn to appreciate the magical ones.
While you can book a taxi the morning of, it's honestly a bit less stressful to just get a tour. There aren't very many taxis back to Pokhara, so I took the cable car. You can book a sunrise tour here.
Get a massage at Seeing Hands in Pokhara
Seeing Hands gives visually impaired and blind people the opportunity to be employed in massage therapy. If you're trekking, you'll want to get their sports therapy massage to speed along your body's recovery. Even if you're not trekking, who doesn't love a good massage?
While this is certainly the most ethical institution you can support while getting a massage in Pokhara, it's also just well-priced and good. I was surprised that it just wasn't that different from getting a normal massage from a person who can see. You can book online here or stop by in person to see their openings.
The Australian Camp trek is perfect for anyone who is just looking for an easy day trip. Every other trek out of Pokhara requires a few nights, which can be tricky if you're working remotely or just passing through this area of Nepal.
In Nepal, you have to book your tours with guides, because it supports the local economy. This tour drives trekkers to Kande, leads them up to Australian Camp, and gives them time to enjoy the stunning panoramas of the Annapurna region.
By paragliding in Pokhara, you can enjoy the stunning aerial views of the valley, the lake, and the Annapurna mountain range. This tour will also give you free photos and videos from the experience, and they can pick you up from your hotel.
You'll want to book this trip in advance to make sure you get the dates that you want, especially if you are traveling with multiple people.
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